Clothing treatment bags

ABSTRACT

A method, system, apparatus, and/or device for cleaning clothing items. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include a first sheet of material and a second sheet of material connected to the first sheet of material along an edge of the first sheet and an edge of the second sheet. The first sheet and the second sheet may be connected to form a cavity between the first sheet and the second sheet configured to receive a clothing item. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include a slot along a surface of at least one of the first sheet or the second sheet and a fastener. The slot may provide an opening to the cavity and a fastener configured to seal the slot closed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/526,271, filed Jun. 28, 2017.

BACKGROUND

Keeping clothing clean is an important part of daily life. However,sometimes accidents happen and clothing may become soiled. When theclothes become dirty or stained, wearers desire to clean and then reusetheir clothing without the clothing becoming stained or ruined.Typically, after wearing an article of clothing or after an article ofclothing becomes soiled, a wearer will take the clothing home to bewashed in a washing machine or hand washed in a basin or tub.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present description will be understood more fully from the detaileddescription given below and from the accompanying drawings of variousembodiments of the present embodiment, which is not to be taken to limitthe present embodiment to the specific embodiments but are forexplanation and understanding.

FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of the garment bag with a clothingitem, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1B illustrates a back view of the garment bag, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 1C illustrates the garment bag configured with an interior portionto fit a relatively large clothing item, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1D illustrates the garment bag with the fastener being closed toseal the garment bag closed, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates the garment bag with indicia, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 3A illustrates the garment bag with an access area, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 3B illustrates the garment bag with an access area, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 4A illustrates the garment bag with a pouch, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 4B illustrates the garment bag with the pouch that includes aliquid or powder cleaning substance, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4C illustrates the garment bag with a viewing window, according toan embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed garment treatment and cleaning bags will become betterunderstood through review of the following detailed description inconjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figuresprovide merely examples of the various inventions described herein.Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples maybe varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of theinventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated fordifferent applications and design considerations; however, for the sakeof brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individuallydescribed in the following detailed description.

Throughout the following detailed description, a variety of garmenttreatment and cleaning bag examples are provided. Related features inthe examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in differentexamples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not beredundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of relatedfeature names will cue the reader that the feature with a relatedfeature name may be similar to the related feature in an exampleexplained previously. Features specific to a given example will bedescribed in that particular example. The reader should understand thata given feature need not be the same or similar to the specificportrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.

Many individuals expend a relatively large amount of money on clothing.The clothing may be fashion attire, work attire, children's attire,leisure attire, and so forth. Given the investment of money in theclothing and to maintain an acceptable outward appearance, keepingclothing clean and usable is a priority to the individuals. While anindividual may make an effort to keep his or her clothing clean andpresentable, sometimes accidents happen and the clothing may becomesoiled. For example, the individual may spill food or beverages on theirclothing while eating that stains the clothing, the individual may be aninfant and have an accident that stains the clothing, the individual mayperform daily activities including working or exercising that may soilthe clothing, and so forth.

When the clothing become dirty or stained, the individual may desire toclean the clothing to remove the dirt or stain and then reuse theclothing. Typically, after wearing an article of clothing or after anarticle of clothing becomes soiled, a wearer will take the clothing hometo be washed in a washing machine or wash the clothing by hand in abasin or tub. However, as the individual performs different tasks andwears the clothing at different locations, a washing machine, a tub, ora basin may not be available to wash the clothing.

When the washing machine, the tube, and/or the basin is not available,the individual may use other pre-washing treatment devices and/orwashing devices to avoid a stain or soiled area from permanentlydamaging or ruining the clothing. For example, the individual may use adetergent stick or cleaning stick to rub on to stains to attempt toprevent the stains from permanently ruining the clothing. In anotherexample, the individual may use readily available substances such asclub soda or a napkin to attempt to remove the stains. Theseconventional devices and substances may not fully remove the stains ormay not effectively work on relatively large stains. Additionally, theconventional devices and methods may not remove the stains, but ratherattempt to limit the permanency of the stains until the clothing may befully cleaned using a washing machine, a tub, or a basin.

Implementations of the disclosure address the above-mentioneddeficiencies and other deficiencies by providing a method, system,device, and/or apparatus to treat and/or clean soiled, stained, or dirtyclothing. The method, system, device, or apparatus may utilize a garmenttreatment and cleaning bag, also referred to herein as a garment bag.The garment bag may be a portable bag that may be used in virtually anylocation or any environment. In one embodiment, the garment bag may be asingle-use bag. In another embodiment, the garment bag may be amulti-use bag. In another embodiment, the garment bag may be aleak-proof bag that seals in cleaning liquids, odors, and/or othersubstances. For example, the garment bag may seal in the clothing, anystaining substances, odors from the staining substances, and washing ortreatment substances for washing the soiled, stained, or dirty clothing.One advantage of the garment bag may be to provide a container for anindividual to store stained clothing and eliminate any odors thatpermeate from the clothing. Another advantage of the garment bag may beto provide an individual with a portable container to pre-treat and/orwash the stained or soiled clothing.

FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of the garment bag 100 with a clothingitem 102, according to an embodiment. In one embodiment, the garment bag100 may be to have a portable and leak-proof bag configured to pre-soakor clean the clothing item 102.

The garment bag 100 may include a first side 104, a second side 118 (asshown in FIG. 1B) opposite the first side 104, and an opening 106between the first side 104 and second side 118. In one embodiment, oneor more edges of the first side 104 and the second side 118 may bepermanently fastened together. In one embodiment, the first side 104 maybe a first sheet of material and the second side 118 may be a secondsheet of material. In another embodiment, the first side 104 may be afirst portion of a single folded sheet and the second side 118 may be asecond portion of the single folded sheet.

In one example, the first side 104 and the second side 118 may eachinclude a bottom edge 110, a first side edge 112, a second side edge114, and a top edge 116. In one embodiment, the bottom edge 110, thefirst side edge 112, and the second side edge 114 may be permanentlyfastened together, such as by a weld, heat, an adhesive, and so forth.The bottom edge 110 may be located at the bottom of garment bag 100, thefirst side edge 112 may be located along a right side of the garment bag100, the second side edge 114 may be located along a left side of thegarment bag 100, and the top edge 116 may be located at the top ofgarment bag 100. The bottom edge 110, the first side edge 112, thesecond side edge 114, and the top edge 116 of the first side 104 and thesecond side 118 may define or help define the shape and size of thegarment bag 100.

In one embodiment, the garment bag 100 may be relatively thin, such as 1millimeter (mm) to 10 mm thick, to form a garment bag 100 that is anenvelope. In another embodiment, the garment bag 100 may be in arectangular shape, where the opening 106 is along the top edge 116 ofthe rectangular shape. The shape and size of the garment bag 100 are notintended to be limiting. For example, the garment bag 100 may includeadditional sides, may be circular or polygonal shaped, or may berelatively thick (such as a thickness that exceeds 10 mm).

The garment bag 100 may include a fastener 108 at or approximate theopening 106. In one embodiment, the fastener 108 may fasten at least aportion of the first side 104 to the second side 118 to create a sealbetween the first side 104 and the second side 118. For example, theopening 106 may provide access into an interior portion or cavity of thegarment bag 100. In one embodiment, the interior portion may provide aspace between the front side 104 and the back side 118 to store theclothing item 102 or other objects. In another embodiment, the interiorportion may provide a space between the front side 104 and the back side118 to store a clean substance, a detergent, a fragrant substance, anodor elimination substance, a liquid, and so forth.

In one embodiment, the opening 106 may be a slit or slot extendingacross a portion of the top edge of the first side 104 or the secondside 118 of the garment bag 100. The slit or slot may be located alongthe top edge 116 or approximate the top edge 116 so that the slit orslot may not interfere with the watertight seal or an airtight seal. Inanother embodiment, the opening 106 may be an unsealed or disconnectedportion between the first side 104 and the second side 118.

The fastener 108 may be a sealant, an adhesive, hooks and loops, a pressseal, a pressure seal, a magnetic seal, a zip-top, a mechanicalfastener, and so forth to close and seal the garment bag 100. In oneembodiment, the fastener 108 may seal the opening 106 of the garment bag100 closed to create a watertight seal or an airtight interior portionor interior storage area. For example, the fastener 108 may be placed onthe first side 104 of the garment bag 100 in an area approximate theopening 106, such as an area directly above or below the opening 106 orat a defined distance above or below the opening 106. In one example,the defined distance above or below the opening 106 may be between 1 mmand 10 mm from the opening 106.

In one embodiment, the fastener 108 may be an adhesive strip, where theopening 106 bisects a length of the adhesive strip such that adhesive ison both sides of the opening 106. The adhesive strip may include a tapeliner to protect the adhesive strip from prematurely adhering to aportion of the garment bag 100, itself, or another object. In anotherembodiment, a single adhesive strip may be located on the first side 104or second side 118 of the garment bag 100 at an interior portion orinterior storage area of the garment bag 100. In another embodiment, asingle adhesive strip may be located on the first side 104 or secondside 118 of the garment bag 100 at an exterior portion of the garmentbag 100. The adhesive strip may then be used to seal the first side 104to the second side 118, or otherwise seal the garment bag 100. Inanother embodiment, the garment bag 100 may include two or more adhesivestrips on the interior portion or interior storage area of the garmentbag 100. In another embodiment, the garment bag 100 may include two ormore adhesive strips on an outer portion of the first side 104 and/orthe second side 118. In one example the adhesive strips may adhere toeach other, or adhere to other parts of the garment bag 100. In anotherembodiment, the fastener 108 may be an adhesive on one or both of thefirst side 104 and/or the second side 118 of the garment bag 100.

FIG. 1B illustrates a back view of the garment bag 100, according to anembodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 1B are the same or similar tosome of the features in FIG. 1A as noted by same reference numbers,unless expressly described otherwise. In one embodiment, the garment bag100 may be a single sheet of material to form the first side 104 and thesecond side 118. For example, the single sheet of material may be foldedin half or double over on itself to create the first side 104 and thesecond side 118. In this example, one or more of the edges 110-116 ofthe first side 104 and the second side 118 may not be sealed together.The folded edge(s) of the material between the first side 104 and secondside 118 may be watertight seal or an airtight and form at least a partof the interior portion or interior storage area.

As discussed above, the bottom edge 110 of the first side 104 may beconnected or fastened to the bottom edge 110 of the second side 118, thefirst side edge 112 of the first side 104 may be connected or fastenedto the first side edge 112 of the second side 118, the second side edge114 of the first side 104 may be connected or fastened to the secondside edge 114 of the second side 118, and the top edge 116 of the firstside 104 may be connected or fastened to the top edge 116 of the secondside 118.

In one example, when the top edge 116 of the first side 104 and thesecond side 118 are connected or fastened together, the top edge 116 mayinclude the opening 106. For example, after the top edge 116 of thefirst side 104 and the second side 118 are connected or fastenedtogether, a slit or slot may be cut into the joined portion of the topedge 116 to form the opening 106. In another example, when the top edge116 of the first side 104 and the second side 118 are connected orfastened together, a portion of the top edge 116 between the first side104 and the second side 118 may not initially be fastened together untilan individual uses the fastener 108 to fasten that portion of the topedge 116 of the first side 104 to the second side 118. In anotherexample, the opening 106 may not be along the top edge 116 but may be anopening in a top portion of at least a portion of the first side 104 orthe second side 118. In another embodiment, the top edge 116 of thefirst side 104 may not be connected or fastened to the top edge 116 ofthe second side 118 until an individual uses the fastener 108 to fastenthe top edge 116 of the first side 104 to the top edge 116 of the secondside 118.

In one embodiment, one or more of the bottom edge 110, the first sideedge 112, the second side edge 114, or the top edge 116 of the firstside 104 and the second side 118 may be may be joined together to form awatertight seal and/or an airtight seal. The watertight seal or theairtight seal may be made in any way, including but not limited toplastic welding, adhesive bonding, and so forth. For example, in plasticwelding, an edge of the first side 104 and the second side 118 areheated and pressed together to create a seal. In adhesive bonding, anadhesive is placed on either one or both edges of the first side 104 andthe second side 118, which are then pressed together to create the seal.

In another embodiment, the first side 104 may be made from the samematerial as the second side 118. In another embodiment, the first side104 may be a made of a first material and the second side 118 may bemade from a second material that is different than the first material.For example, the first material may be polyurethane and the secondmaterial may be plastic. In another embodiment, the first side 104and/or the second side 118 may be made from multiple materials. Inanother embodiment, a first portion of the first side 104 or the secondside 118 may be made from a first material and a second portion of thefirst side 104 or the second side 118 may be made from a secondmaterial. For example, the first side 104 may include a first portionthat is a non-transparent polyurethane material and the second portionmay be a transparent plastic material so that the garment bag 100 mayinclude a see-through measurement window to indicate an amount of wateror other substances to put into the garment bag 100 to pre-treat,pre-wash, or wash the clothing item 102 in FIG. 1A.

In another embodiment, a thickness of the first side 104 may be the sameas a thickness of the second side 18. In another embodiment, thethickness of the first side 104 may be different than the thickness ofthe second side 118. As discussed below, one of the first side 104 orthe second side 118 may be thinner to allow an individual to open ortear the garment bag 100 while the other side may be thicker to be moredurable. In one example, the first side 104 may be 2 mm thick and thesecond side 118 may be 4 mm thick, or vice versa. In another example,the first side 104 may be 4 mm thick and the second side 118 may be 8 mmthick, or vice versa. The thickness of the first side 104 and the secondside 118 is not intended to be limiting. For example, the thickness ofthe first side 104 and/or the second side 118 may vary based on thecharacteristic of clothes or other objects stored in the garment bag 100and/or the characteristics of the garment bag 100.

FIG. 1C illustrates the garment bag 100 configured with an interiorportion to fit a relatively large clothing item 120, according to anembodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 1C are the same or similar tosome of the features in FIG. 1A-B as noted by same reference numbers,unless expressly described otherwise. As discussed above, the garmentbag 100 may include an interior portion or cavity for an individual tostore one or more clothing items. In one embodiment, the garment bag 100may be airtight to reduce or eliminate odors from the clothing itemspermeating outside the interior portion or cavity. For example, when theclothing item is a soiled infant outfit as shown in FIG. 1A where theinfant's diaper has failed, an individual may place the soiled infantoutfit in the garment bag 100 so that the odor from the infant outfitdoes not permeate. The individual may then carry on with theiractivities until they are able to wash the infant's outfit.

As discussed above, an individual may place soiled, dirty, or stainedclothing item(s) in the garment bag 100 to pre-treat, pre-wash, and/orwash the soiled portion, dirty portion, and/or stained portion of theclothing item(s). To pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash the clothingitems, once the clothing item(s) are placed in the garment bag 100, theindividual may add a threshold amount of a cleaning substance into theinterior portion of the garment bag 100. In one embodiment, the cleaningsubstance may be a cleaning agent, laundry detergent, fragmentsustenance, odor neutralizers, water, chemicals, and so forth. In oneexample, the cleaning substance may be a threshold amount of laundrydetergent and a threshold amount of water. In another example, thecleaning substance may be a pre-mixed substance that includesingredients to pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash the clothing item(s).

In one embodiment, the threshold amount of cleaning substance may varybased on the characteristics of the clothing item(s). In anotherembodiment, the type of cleaning substance may vary based on thecharacteristics of the clothing item(s). The characteristics of theclothing item(s) may include a size of the clothing item(s), a shape ofthe clothing item(s), a material type of the clothing item(s), a coloror colors of the clothing item(s), how delicate the clothing item(s) maybe (also referred to as a delicacy level), and so forth. For example,when the clothing item 102 is an infant's white pajamas as shown in FIG.1A, the cleaning substance may be a relatively small amount of bleach,such as ⅓ of a cup of bleach. In another example, when the clothing item120 is an adult male t-shirt with multiple colors, the cleaningsubstance may be a laundry detergent and water mixture.

In another embodiment, the characteristics of the garment bag 100 mayvary based on the characteristics of the clothing item(s). Thecharacteristics of the garment bag 100 may include a size of the garmentbag 100, the first side 104, or the second side 118; a shape of thegarment bag 100, the first side 104, or the second side 118; a materialof the garment bag 100, the first side 104, or the second side 118; alocation of the opening 106 for the garment bag 100, the first side 104,or the second side 118; the type of fastener 108 for the garment bag100, the first side 104, or the second side 118; and so forth. Forexample, when the cleaning substance is bleach for the white infant'soutfit 102 in FIG. 1A, the garment bag 100 may be relatively small to bea portable bag that may fit in a purse and the garment bag 100 may be ableach-proof material so that the bleach does not leak once the infant'swhite outfit 102 is sealed in the garment bag 100. In another example,when the clothing item is the adult mail t-shirt 120, the garment bag100 may be relatively large and may be a water-proof material so thatthe laundry detergent and water does not leak once the adult malet-shirt 120 is sealed in the garment bag 100. As discussed above, thegarment bag 100 may be made of a waterproof material, incorporatewaterproofing elements in the material or applied to the material, aplastic material, a rubber material, a polypropylene material, apolyurethane material, a polyethylene material, and so forth.

In one embodiment, for a relatively small garment bag 100 for infant orchildren's clothes 102 the bottom edge 110 of the garment bag 100 may be11 mm in length, the first side edge 112 of the garment bag 100 may be12.5 mm in length, the second side edge 114 of the garment bag 100 maybe 12.5 mm in length, and the top edge 116 of the garment bag 100 withthe fastener 108 may be 12 mm in length. In another embodiment, for arelatively large garment bag 100 for adult clothes 120 the bottom edge110 of the garment bag 100 may be 15 mm in length, the first side edge112 of the garment bag may be 16.5 mm in length, the second side edge114 of the garment bag may be 16.5 mm in length, and the top edge 116 ofthe garment bag with the fastener 108 may be 16 mm in length. The sizesand shapes of the garment bag 100 are not intended to be limiting andmay vary. For example, as discussed above, the size and/or shape of thegarment bag 100 may vary based on the characteristics of the clothingitem(s).

FIG. 1D illustrates the garment bag 100 with the fastener 108 beingfastened to seal the garment bag 100 closed, according to an embodiment.Some of the features in FIG. 1D are the same or similar to some of thefeatures in FIG. 1A-C as noted by same reference numbers, unlessexpressly described otherwise. In one embodiment, the fastener 108 maybe a flap of material that may be folded over the opening 106 to form aseal between the first side 104 and the second side 118 of the garmentbag 100. In one example, the flap may include a strip of adhesive (suchas a tape liner) with a cover. To seal the garment bag 100 closed, thecover or tape liner may be peeled off the strip of adhesive and thestrip of adhesive may be pressed against the first side 104 or thesecond side 118 of the garment bag 100.

In one embodiment, to seal the garment bag 100, after the tape liner ispeeled from the fastener 108, the adhesive of the fastener 108 may befolded in half, down from the top edge 116, starting from a centersection of the fastener 108. An individual may then apply pressure tothe adhesive of the fastener 108 starting from the center section. Thepressure may then be applied to the rest of the adhesive radiating outand away from the center section until the entire adhesive adheres tothe garment bag 100. In another embodiment, the pressure may be appliedstarting at any portion of the fastener 108. In another embodiment, thegarment bag 100 may include multiple adhesive strips that may be pressedtogether to form a seal. As discussed above, the type of fastener 108 isnot intended to be limiting and other types of fasteners 108 may be usedto seal the opening 106 closed.

In one example, sealing the garment bag 100 using the fastener 108 mayinclude opening the garment bag 100, placing a threshold amount ofcleaning substance into an interior portion of the garment bag 100,inserting an article of clothing into the garment bag 100, and sealingthe garment bag 100 closed with the fastener 108. The sealed garment bag100 may be watertight and/or airtight.

In one embodiment, when a clothing item is sealed in the garment bag100, an individual may agitate the cleaning substance and/or theclothing item to dissolve and disperse cleaning substance. In anotherembodiment, the individual may agitate the cleaning substance and/or theclothing item to pre-treat, pre-soak, and/or wash the clothing item. Inanother embodiment, the garment bag 100 may be sealed to prevent leakingor spilling of the cleaning substance from the garment bag 100. Inanother embodiment, the interior portion of the garment bag 100 mayinclude protuberances, nodules, knobs, bumps, lumps, and so forth.

FIG. 2 illustrates the garment bag 100 with indicia 202 and 204,according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 2 are the sameor similar to some of the features in FIG. 1A-D as noted by samereference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise. In oneembodiment, the garment bag 100 may include indicia printed, inscribed,etched, silk screened, and so forth onto a surface of the garment bag100. For ease and simplicity of explanation, the front side 104 of thegarment bag 100 is discussed in reference to the indicia, but theindicia may be similarly applied to the second side 118 of the garmentbag 100.

As discussed above, the garment bag 100 may be used to store, pre-treat,pre-wash, and/or wash clothing items. To aid an individual in using thegarment bag 100, the garment bag 100 may include the indicia 202 thatmay provide usage instructions for the individual. In one example, theindicia 202 may include multiple usage instructions based on thecharacteristics of the clothing items and/or the garment bag 100. Inanother example, the indicia 202 may include different usageinstructions based on the characteristics of the clothing items and/orthe garment bag 100. In another embodiment, the garment bag 100 mayinclude other indicia 204. The other indicia 204 may include a logo,patterns or designs, disclaimers, and so forth.

FIG. 3A illustrates the garment bag 100 with an access area 302,according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 3A are the sameor similar to some of the features in FIG. 1A-D as noted by samereference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise. For ease andsimplicity of explanation, the front side 104 of the garment bag 100 isdiscussed in reference to the access area 302, but the access area 302may be similarly applied to the second side 118 of the garment bag 100.

As discussed above, the fastener 108 may seal the garment bag 100closed. In one embodiment, the sealed garment bag 100 may be reopened byunfastening the fastener 108. For example, when the fastener is a ziptop or hooks and loops, the fastener 108 may be fastened and unfastenedmultiple times so that the garment bag 100 is reusable. In anotherembodiment, the sealed garment bag 100 may be a single-use bag where thefastener 108 permanently seals the garment bag 100 closed and thegarment bag 100 may not be reopened at the fastener 108. An advantage ofpermanently sealing the garment bag 100 closed by be to avoid leakingthat by may occur over time with a re-sealable fastener.

When the fastener 108 permanently seals the garment bag 100 closed, thegarment bag 100 may include an access area 302 for the user to access aclothing item in the interior portion of the garment bag 100. In oneexample, the access area 302 may be a perforated area or portion of thegarment bag 100. The perforated portion may include minute holes thatallow a user to tear open the garment bag 100 at the access area 302.The minute holes may be below a threshold size such that liquid or odorparticles may not pass through the holes. In another example, the accessarea 302 may be a weakened area or portion of the garment bag 100 thatmay be an easier area for an individual to tear open the garment bag100, relative to the other portions of the garment bag 100.

In one embodiment the access area 302 may be located along orapproximate to the bottom edge 110, the first side edge 112, the secondside edge 114, or the top edge 116. In another embodiment, the garmentbag 100 may include multiple access areas 302. In another embodiment,the access area 302 may be located on the first side 104 or the secondside 118 of the garment bag 100.

FIG. 3B illustrates the garment bag 100 with an access area 304,according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 3B are the sameor similar to some of the features in FIG. 1A-D as noted by samereference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise. For ease andsimplicity of explanation, the front side 104 of the garment bag 100 isdiscussed in reference to the access area 304, but the access area 304may be similarly applied to the second side 118 of the garment bag 100.

As discussed above, the fastener 108 may permanently seal the garmentbag 100 closed so that the garment bag 100 may not be reopened at thefastener 108. When the fastener 108 permanently seals the garment bag100 closed, the garment bag 100 may include an access area 304 for theuser to access a clothing item in the interior portion of the garmentbag 100. In one example, the access area 304 may be a designated portionof the garment bag 100 that may be cut or torn open. The access area 304may be include indicia or another visual designation that indicates to auser to cut or tear the garment bag 100 at the access area 304 to avoiddamaging clothing items or spilling cleaning substances.

In one embodiment the access area 304 may be located along orapproximate to the bottom edge 110, the first side edge 112, the secondside edge 114, or the top edge 116. In another embodiment, the garmentbag 100 may include multiple access areas 304. In another embodiment,the access area 304 may be located on the first side 104 or the secondside 116 of the garment bag 100.

FIG. 4A illustrates the garment bag 100 with a pouch 402, according toan embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 4A are the same or similarto some of the features in FIG. 1A-D as noted by same reference numbers,unless expressly described otherwise. For ease and simplicity ofexplanation, the front side 104 of the garment bag 100 is discussed inreference to the pouch 402, but the pouch 402 may be similarly appliedto the second side 118 of the garment bag 100.

As discussed above, an individual may use the garment bag 100 to store,pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash clothing items. To pre-treat, pre-wash,and or wash clothing items, a threshold amount of the cleaning substance404 may be added to the interior portion of the garment bag 100. In oneembodiment, the garment bag 100 may include a pocket or a pouch 402 thatmay hold the cleaning substance 404, such as the threshold amount of thecleaning substance 404. In one example, the pouch 402 may be part of theexterior surface of the garment bag 100. When the pouch 402 is part ofthe exterior surface of the garment bag 100, an individual may open thepouch 402, insert the cleaning substance 404 into the interior portionof the garment bag 100, and seal the garment bag 100 so that thecleaning substance may pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash clothing items.In one embodiment, the cleaning substance 404 may be a pod or shell withcleaning materials. In another embodiment, the cleaning substance 404may be a tablet or solid piece of cleaning materials.

In another embodiment, the pouch 402 may be part of the interior portionor interior surface of the garment bag 100. In one example, anindividual may open the pouch 402 and place the cleaning substance 404into the interior portion of the garment bag 100 where the clothingitems are located so that the cleaning substance may pre-treat,pre-wash, and/or wash clothing items.

In another embodiment, the pouch 402 may dissolve when a liquid, such aswater, is added to the interior portion of the garment bag 100. Forexample, the pouch 402 may be made of water-soluble paper that maydissolve when water is added into the interior portion of the garmentbag 100. In this example, when the pouch 402 dissolves, the cleaningsubstance 404 may combine with the water to pre-treat, pre-wash, and/orwash clothing items. In another embodiment, the pouch 402 may dissolveor tear open when agitated. For example, the pouch 402 may be made ofrelatively thin or delicate material and when an individual agitates thepouch 402, the pouch 402 may dissolve or open to release the cleaningsubstance 404. In one example, an individual may agitate the garment bag100 as they agitate clothing items to pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or washclothing items.

FIG. 4B illustrates the garment bag 100 with the pouch 402 that includesa liquid or powder cleaning substance 406, according to an embodiment.Some of the features in FIG. 4B are the same or similar to some of thefeatures in FIGS. 1A-D and 4A as noted by same reference numbers, unlessexpressly described otherwise. For ease and simplicity of explanation,the front side 104 of the garment bag 100 is discussed in reference tothe pouch 402, but the pouch 402 may be similarly applied to the secondside 118 of the garment bag 100.

As discussed above, an individual may use the garment bag 100 to store,pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash clothing items. To pre-treat, pre-wash,and or wash clothing items, a threshold amount of cleaning substance maybe added to the interior portion of the garment bag 100. In oneembodiment, the garment bag 100 may include a pouch 402 that may holdthe liquid or powder cleaning substance 406, such as the thresholdamount of the liquid or powder cleaning substance 406. The pouch 402 maybe part of the interior portion of the garment bag 100. In one example,an individual may open the pouch 402 and the liquid or powder cleaningsubstance 406 may pour into the interior portion of the garment bag 100where the clothing items are located so that the liquid or powdercleaning substance 406 may pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash clothingitems.

In another embodiment, the pouch 402 may dissolve when a liquid, such aswater, is added to the interior portion of the garment bag 100. Forexample, the pouch 402 may be made of water-soluble paper that maydissolve when water is added into the interior portion of the garmentbag 100. In this example, when the pouch 402 dissolves, the liquid orpowder cleaning substance 406 may combine with the water to pre-treat,pre-wash, and/or wash clothing items. In another embodiment, the pouch402 may dissolve or tear open when agitated. For example, the pouch 402may be made of relatively thin or delicate material and when anindividual agitates the pouch 402, the pouch may dissolve or open torelease the liquid or powder cleaning substance 406. In one example, anindividual may agitate the garment bag 100 as they agitate clothingitems to pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash clothing items.

FIG. 4C illustrates the garment bag 100 with a viewing window 408,according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 4C are the sameor similar to some of the features in FIG. 1A-D as noted by samereference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise. For ease andsimplicity of explanation, the front side 104 of the garment bag 100 isdiscussed in reference to the viewing window 408, but the viewing window408 may be similarly applied to the second side 118 of the garment bag100.

As discussed above, an individual may use the garment bag 100 to store,pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash clothing items. To pre-treat, pre-wash,and/or wash clothing items, an individual may add a cleaning substanceand/or water 418 to the interior portion of the garment bag 100. As alsodiscussed above, the amount of cleaning substance and/or water 418 mayvary based on the characteristics of the garment bag 100 and/or theclothing item in the garment bag 100. To aid the individual using thegarment bag 100 is measuring the amount of cleaning substance and/orwater 418 to put into the interior portion of the garment bag 100, thegarment bag 100 may include the viewing window 408. The viewing window408 may be a translucent, transparent, or see-through portion of thegarment bag 100 that the individual may use to view the interior portionof the garment bag 100. As the individual puts the cleaning substanceand/or water 418 into the interior portion of the garment bag 100, theindividual may be able to visually see how much cleaning substanceand/or water 418 has been added into the interior portion by viewing theviewing window 408.

In one embodiment, the viewing window 408 may extend across at leastpart of a bottom portion of the garment bag 100. In another embodiment,the viewing window 408 may extend across at least part of the sideportion of the garment bag 100. In another embodiment, the viewingwindow 408 may extend across at least part of the top portion of thegarment bag 100.

In another embodiment, the viewing window 408 may extend from the bottomportion of the garment bag 100 toward the top portion of the garment bag100.

The viewing window 408 may also include one or more level indicators410-416 to indicate an amount of cleaning substance and/or water 418 toadd into the interior portion of the garment bag 100 for pre-treating,pre-washing, and/or washing clothing items. For example, the first levelindicator 410 may be located at a first threshold distance from thebottom of the viewing window 408 to indicate to a user when a firstamount of cleaning substance and/or water 418 has been added to theinterior portion of the garment bag 100. In another example, the secondlevel indicator 412 may be located at a second threshold distance fromthe bottom of the viewing window 408 to indicate to a user when a secondamount of cleaning substance and/or water 418 has been added to theinterior portion of the garment bag 100. In another example, the thirdlevel indicator 414 may be located at a third threshold distance fromthe bottom of the viewing window 408 to indicate to a user when a thirdamount of cleaning substance and/or water 418 has been added to theinterior portion of the garment bag 100. In another example, the fourthlevel indicator 416 may be located at a fourth threshold distance fromthe bottom of the viewing window 408 to indicate to a user when a fourthamount of cleaning substance and/or water 418 has been added to theinterior portion of the garment bag 100. In one example the levelindicators 410-416 may be horizontal lines that extend horizontallyacross at least a portion of the viewing window 408.

In one embodiment, the first level indicator 410 may be associated witha first characteristic of the garment bag 100 and/or a clothing item. Inanother embodiment, the second level indicator 412 may be associatedwith a second characteristic of the garment bag 100 and/or a clothingitem. In another embodiment, the third level indicator 414 may beassociated with a third characteristic of the garment bag 100 and/or aclothing item. In another embodiment, the fourth level indicator 416 maybe associated with a fourth characteristic of the garment bag 100 and/ora clothing item. In another embodiment, one or more of the levelindicators 410-416 may include indicia indicating the associatedcharacteristics. In another embodiment, the level indicators 410-416 maybe indicia that are located at different locations of the viewing window408.

The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct embodiments withindependent utility. While these embodiments have been disclosed in aparticular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustratedabove are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerousvariations are possible. The subject matter of the embodiments includesthe novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of thevarious elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed aboveand inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such embodiments.Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “afirst” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims isto be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neitherrequiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed tocombinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed embodiments that arebelieved to be novel and non-obvious. Embodiments embodied in othercombinations and sub-combinations of features, functions, elementsand/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims orpresentation of new claims in the present application or in a relatedapplication. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed tothe same embodiment or a different embodiment and whether they aredifferent, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims,are to be considered within the subject matter of the embodimentsdescribed herein.

1. An apparatus, comprising: a first sheet of material, the first sheetcomprising: a first bottom edge; a first side edge; a second side edge;and a first top edge; a second sheet of material, the second sheetcomprising: a second bottom edge connected to the first bottom edge; athird side edge connected to the first side edge; a fourth side edgeconnected to the second side edge; and a second top edge, wherein: thefirst sheet and the second sheet are connect to form an cavity betweenthe first sheet and the second sheet configured to receive a clothingitem; and the first top edge and the second top edge form an openinginto the cavity; a fastener configured to seal the first top edge to thesecond top edge; and a pocket connected to an interior surface of thefirst sheet or the second sheet, wherein the pocket is configured tostore a cleaning substance.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising the clothing item within the cavity, wherein the clothingitem includes at least one of a stain, a soiled portion, or a dirtyportion.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a thresholdamount of the cleaning substance, the cleaning substance configured topre-treat the clothing item, pre-wash the clothing item, or wash theclothing item.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fastener is atop portion of the second sheet and the fastener comprises an adhesivealong the top portion of the second sheet configured to seal the firsttop edge of the first sheet to the second top edge of the second sheet.5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of one of thefirst sheet or the second sheet comprises a see-through viewing window.6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the see-through viewing windowcomprises: a first level indicator indicating a first amount that thecavity is filled with at least one of the cleaning substance or anothersubstance; and a second level indicator indicating a second amount thatthe cavity is filled with at least one of the cleaning substance or theother substance.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a size of thefirst sheet and the second sheet is based on a characteristic of theclothing item.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a characteristic ofat least one of the apparatus is based on a characteristic of theclothing item.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein: the characteristicof the apparatus comprises at least one of: a size of the first sheet orthe second sheet; a shape of the first sheet or the second sheet; amaterial of the first sheet or the second sheet; a location of theopening; or a type of fastener; and the characteristic of the clothingitem comprises: a size of the clothing item; a shape of the clothingitem; a material type of the clothing item; a color or colors of theclothing item; or a delicacy level of the clothing item.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein a characteristic of at least one of thefirst sheet or the second sheet is based on a characteristic of theclothing item.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pocket isconfigured to store a threshold amount of cleaning substance based on atleast one of a characteristic of the apparatus or a characteristic ofthe clothing item.
 12. An apparatus, comprising: a first sheet ofmaterial, a second sheet of material connected to the first sheet ofmaterial along an edge of the first sheet and an edge of the secondsheet, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are connect to forman cavity between the first sheet and the second sheet configured toreceive a clothing item; a slot along a surface of at least one of thefirst sheet or the second sheet, wherein the slot provides an opening tothe cavity; and a fastener configured to seal the slot closed.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein the fastener is at least one of asealant, an adhesive, a hook and loop, a press seal, a pressure seal, amagnetic seal, a zip-top, or a mechanical fastener.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 12, further comprising an opening area along a surface of at leastone of the first sheet or the second sheet.
 15. The apparatus of claim14, wherein the opening area is a perforated area, a weakened area ofthe first sheet or the second sheet, or an area designated for anindividual to cut or tear at least one of the first sheet or the secondsheet.
 16. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a pocketconnected to a surface of the first sheet or the second sheet, whereinthe pocket is configured to store a threshold amount of cleaningsubstance.
 17. A system, comprising: a clothing item comprising a stain,a soiled portion, or a dirty portion; a sheet of material comprising: aninterior portion to store the clothing item; an slot configured toreceive the clothing item; and a fastener configured to seal the slotclosed; and a cleaning substance configured to pre-treat the clothingitem, pre-wash the clothing item, or wash the clothing item when thecleaning substance and the clothing item within the interior portion.18. The system of claim 17, wherein the sheet is folded with at leastone edge of the folded sheet being connected to another edge of thefolded sheet to form the interior portion.
 19. The system of claim 17,wherein the sheet further comprises a pocket to store the cleaningsubstance.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the pocket is a waterdissolving material.